I collect pretty much everything - as my overstuffed flat shows! The one thing I don't really collect is action figures - although I do have some of those... I just figured I have to draw the line somewhere! I particularly like ornamental items (eg snowglobes, candle holders), clothes (if they are nicely made! - tshirts, etc.), and household items (eg cookie jars, wine glasses - things I can use). But if it says 'Limited edition' followed by the words 'Star Wars', 'Harry Potter', 'Lord of the Rings' (or, these days, even 'Twilight') - I'll probably be suckered into buying it!

I have MANY of the Noble Collection items, and they rank amongst my faves; especially the 'Middle Earth goblet' set which was a 'Hobbit coming of age' birthday gift from a very dear friend. (Thanks, L.Ron! )

But I think one of my fave 'collectibles' is not officially a LotR item at all, and that's why I like it - it's unique. It's hard to describe... It's a piece of a log, carved in concentric layers. It just looks like a log until you turn it upside down and the layers slide out - to form a 'citadel' which just looks like Minas Tirith. A friend sent it to me as a gift one Christmas. Two months later, on my birthday, a small, bare, wooden tree followed, with the note 'Maybe the white tree will bloom again...' Spaced out over the rest of the year, she sent me three wooden 'puzzle' pieces which slot of the bare tree, to make it a tree in full bloom. All the pieces are different, fragrant woods. A brilliant gift, so thoughtful, beautiful to look at, so evocative of ME... Yeah, I think that's my fave piece. But sometimes I forget what I have, there's so darn much of it... 'There are older and fouler things than orcs in the deep places of my fridge...'

'You never know what will happen next, when once you get mixed up with TORnsibs and their friends.'

And that is, what do you collect, and what is it that inspires your collecting?I tend to stick mainly to the Sideshow LotR statues, busts, and helms - top quality and just really, really cool to look at.

What do you consider to be the best piece in your collection(s)? My favorite things are the Helms - I have about 16 now, and hope to complete my collection someday. And my Sauron cookie jar. :)

And, what recommendations do have for a type of item that would be a great, out of the ordinary gift for a long-time Tolkien fan?

Hmmm...I think it would be a handmade gift; there are a lot of talented folks out there (and on this site) who do some amazing things with wood and pottery.

"Ah, how ironic, the addictive qualities of Sauron’s master weapon led to its own destruction. Which just goes to show, kids - if you want two small and noble souls to succeed on a mission of dire importance... send an evil-minded b*****d with them too." - Gandalf's Diaries, final par, by Ufthak.

... most of my "collection" consists of things that aren't really of use!! Since I'm on a limited budget it tends to be small things that I can put on a shelf or squeze into a (rare) spare space somethere. But I'd love to get a sword or two someday and some larger items like busts. Once I have my own place (a few years away yet I think!) I know I'm going to end up filling it with LotR & Harry Potter pieces and art! My fave. LotR item I have would be..... either my models from the magazine collection (I have about 55) or I've just got some cool bookmarks with the flags of Rohan on that I'm trying to find room to display....! ~*Haudh-en-Ndengin the Elves named it, the Hill of Slain, and Haugh-en-Nirnaeth, the Hill of tears... the earth beneath which the swords of the Eldar and the Edain crumbled into rust*~

but I have gotten things from each of the sites listed by Arwen Undomiel. Tolkien Town and Sideshow are always a great place to go.

I've collected hundreds of the Toybiz/Applause toys and a bunch of the Sideshow/Gentle Giant pieces. I've also got the full set of the European Kinder Toys (came in candy). I think of the statues I've got, I only paid full price for 4-5 of them.

I gather them because they are so very lovely in their detail and poses that it's like having a piece of Tolkien/Jackson's world right here where I can touch them.

Oh my... the best piece. They're all significant to me. I'd have to say that my Sideshow Sam with Bill the Pony is special because it was my first purchased piece that I had to scramble to come up with the money. Though the very first piece I got was a surprise prize I won from a Houghton Mifflin drawing. I came home from work and found a Gandalf the Grey bust on my doorstep in 2002. It's wonderfully detailed!

As for what to get for a Tolkien fan; it depends on how much you want to spend. For around $60-$110, you could get a statue or a bust of the recipient's favourite character on eBay, for about $25 one of the helms/headgear, or something simpler would be LotR dominoes, deck of cards, board game, or keychains. I'm a big-time keychain/bookmark collector. You could also get a piece of the LotR jewelry (rings, brooches, etc.), hats or t-shirts. It really depends on what you plan to spend and the interest of your target ;)

Sideshow Weta Statues/FiguresI work an extra job to pay for my obsession... so, no... I'm not filthy rich! Some of these were prizes or gifts. I'll see if I can get a picture of them... but I have them stacked on my piano with over-turned aquariums acting as a curio cabinet. I have a 20 gallon, a 15 gallon a 10 gallon, and a 5 gallon so far to cover them all.